Why SMBs Need Employee Productivity Monitoring Software
While enterprises often rely on complex tech stacks and large IT departments, SMBs need lean, scalable solutions that can handle day-to-day operations, especially with dispersed or remote teams. That’s where employee productivity monitoring software and team monitoring tools come in.
With the right platform, SMBs can:
Improve accountability across remote and hybrid teams
Identify productivity gaps and time leaks
Get real-time visibility into active vs. idle time
Monitor app and website usage trends
Optimize project timelines and resource allocation
For businesses managing under 100 employees, investing in the right work from home monitoring software or employee tracking software isn’t just a cost saver—it’s a growth multiplier.
Key Features to Look For in Productivity Monitoring Tools
Source: Whatfix
Not all productivity monitoring software is created equal. When choosing a solution, focus on features that align with your workflow and team dynamics:
User activity monitoring (app, URL, mouse/keyboard events)
Stealth or transparent tracking modes
Custom productivity scoring or efficiency tracking
Integrations with project management tools (Asana, Trello, Jira)
Real-time screen monitoring software
Support for remote and hybrid environments
Automated timesheets and productivity reports
Best Employee Productivity Tools for SMBs in 2025
Below is a curated list of tools tailored for teams under 100 seats. Each one offers a unique blend of employee monitoring, productivity tracking, and remote team visibility.
1. Workstatus (Best All-in-One Solution for SMBs)
If you're looking for a feature-rich, budget-friendly employee productivity monitoring software, Workstatus is purpose-built for teams working remotely, in-office, or hybrid. With GPS tracking, automated timesheets, real-time screen monitoring software, and activity scoring, Workstatus makes it easy to track productivity without micro-managing.
Key Features:
Stealth and visible tracking modes
Real-time user activity monitoring with screenshots
Facial recognition for attendance
AI-based productivity scoring and workload analysis
Built-in workforce analytics dashboard
Best For: Remote and hybrid SMB teams seeking unified employee tracking software
2. Toggl Track (Best Lightweight Tracker for Time-Conscious Teams)
Toggl is a simple yet powerful productivity tracker focused on time tracking and project-based billing. It’s great for freelancers, agencies, and smaller teams who don’t need full monitoring but want accurate logs and actionable insights.
Key Features:
One-click time tracking
Project and task-level breakdowns
Browser extensions and mobile apps
No invasive screen monitoring
Best For: Freelance and client-facing teams
3. Hubstaff (Best for GPS & Location-Based Tracking)
Hubstaff combines employee monitoring software with powerful GPS tracking features, making it ideal for hybrid and field-based teams. It offers deep insights into time usage, productivity, and job costing.
Key Features:
Real-time GPS and geofencing
Screenshot monitoring
Productivity and idle time reports
Integration with over 30+ tools
Best For: Teams with a field service or delivery component
4. Time Doctor (Best for Focused Work and Distraction Management)
Time Doctor blends work from home tracking software with distraction alerts, helping employees stay on track during the day. It also offers user productivity monitoring at an individual and team level.
Key Features:
Time tracking with distraction alerts
Website and app usage reports
Payroll integrations
Video screen captures
Best For: Teams seeking accountability without micromanagement
5. Insightful (Best for Enterprise-Grade Monitoring in SMB Budgets)
Previously known as Workpuls, Insightful is a modern employee productivity software built for compliance and control. While it offers enterprise-grade functionality, it scales well for smaller businesses too.
Key Features:
Automated productivity labeling
Real-time screen tracker software
Stealth mode monitoring
Role-based permissions
Best For: Compliance-heavy SMBs (finance, legal, healthcare)
6. ActivTrak (Best Analytics-Driven Productivity Software)
ActivTrak is known for its behavioral analytics and machine-learning insights into team performance. It's a powerful workforce productivity software for managers and HR teams to analyze trends.
Key Features:
Activity classification and risk detection
Automated productivity insights
User journey mapping
Real-time user activity monitoring software
Best For: Data-driven decision-makers and HR professionals
7. Clockify (Best Free Employee Monitoring Software)
Clockify is a generous freemium tool that allows unlimited users and time tracking. While it doesn’t offer deep screen monitoring software, it’s ideal for SMBs starting out.
Key Features:
Free unlimited time tracking
Team reports and dashboards
Optional screenshots (paid version)
Project and task segmentation
Best For: Budget-conscious teams
8. RescueTime (Best for Autonomous Time Management)
RescueTime empowers users to self-manage by tracking app usage and blocking distractions. Great for self-led teams that value autonomy over oversight.
Key Features:
Real-time focus sessions
Goal tracking and weekly insights
Productivity scoring
App and website categorization
Best For: Self-managing teams and individual contributors
You can also explore team monitoring software options that offer customizable dashboards for managers.
Final Thoughts
For SMBs with under 100 employees, the challenge is finding the right balance between oversight and autonomy. The best productivity tools for employees are those that empower teams, offer transparency, and provide the insights leaders need to scale efficiently.
Whether you're looking for a team productivity tracker, a real-time screen monitoring software, or simply a way to understand how to monitor employees working from home, this guide offers you the roadmap to success.
Ready to take your productivity to the next level? Explore employee productivity tracking software purpose-built for remote and hybrid SMBs today.
